Extendible ladder top support



Aug. 6, 1963 B. SUNSHINE EXTENDIBLE LADDER TOP SUPPORT Filed June 27, 1960 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Aug- 6, 1963 B. SUNSHINE 3,100,026

EXTENDIBLE LADDER TOP SUPPORT Filed June 27, 1960 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR BENJAMIN SUNSHINE United States Patent O 3,100,026 EXTENDBLE LADDER TOP SUPPORT Benjamin Sunshine, 50 Maxwell Ave., Fords, NJ. Filed lune 27, 1960, Ser. No. 38,795 2 Claims. (Cl. 182--214) This invention relates to ladder supports, land more particularly relates to novel ex-tendible top supports for ladders and the like, combining compactness, lightweight, a work bench area, and safe extended support.

When an ordinary straight ladder is inclined against a wall, its two tip ends provide a two point contact of very small area. Such concentrated pressure points often kink or dig holes into aluminum shingles, crack asbestos shingles, and fail to properly grip against masonry walls. Also, they fail 'to suitably support the ladder for convenient working across a reasonably wide window area. Finally, when the ladder is supported directly against a vertical wall, a painter or carpenter must mount his tools and materials below the ladder top, and has to inconveniently stoop to use them.

In accordance with my present invention, I provide a top ladder structure, readily mountable on its extending ends, and having forward flat sides that automatically adjust against the wall surface to support the ladder stably in its inclined position. Substantial surfaces of the forward sides prevent injurious pressures against any wall, and hold firmly and safely against displacement. A pair of independent arms are folded outwardly into the front wall plane, for spanning wide windows across which one may desire to work. A person can thus support the ladder directly at a window area with the invention support, to repair, paint, hang up screens or awnings, etc.

The ladder top structure hereof also contains a substantial horizontal Work bench in which tools, brushes, cans of paint, etc. can be stored for use in safey at the ladder top.

This affords a convenient and etlicient working arrangement. A semi-circular cut-out between the front support surfaces of the invention structure permit using the ladder directly against any round objects, as a poll, tree, rain leader; or even Kapplied against the corner of -a building. 'Ihe ladder structure hereof is sturdy, rugged, lightweight, collapsible and readily mountable and demouted from the ladder top. It is convenient and useful, and permits one to perform more safety and efficiently o-n a ladder top than heretofore possible.

It is accordingly `an object of the present invention to provide a novel top ladder support structure.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel foldable, light weight, rugged top ladder support.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a -novel ladder support that has lwall contact areas of substantial size, and extendible arms to further enhance the support possibilities for the ladder.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a novel ladder top support structure with a horizontal top work bench.

Still a further object of the present invention is to provide a novel ladder top suppor-t with a cut out front section to subtend protruding objects as a pole, pli-pe, etc.

These and further objects of the present invention will become more apparent from the yfollowing description of an exemplary embodiment thereof, illustrated in the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a rear perspective illustration of thev exemplary 3,100,026 Patented Aug. 6, 1963 support structure atop ladder and extended across a wide window area.

FIG. 2 is a perspective illustration of the ladder support of FIG. l, as viewed from its front wall support side, in its extended mode.

FIG. 3 is a perspective illustration of the support, as seen from its front side, in collapsed condition.

FIGS. 4 through 9 are illustrations of detail portions of the exemplary ladder to support of FIGS. l, 2 and 3.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view along the line 10h-10 of FIG. 1 to illustrate the main automatic support adjustment.

FIG. l1 is an end view `of the support structure, partially broken through, in its extended condition as in FIG.1, illustrating the angular adjustment of the support extensions.

Referring to FIG. l, the invention top ladder support structure 15 lis illustrated in its extended mode across a relatively wide window 16 of a house. The structure 15 is fastened to the top ends of a ladder 17 that is inclined for use against the house wall. Ladder 17 is a straight type, and may be an extension ladder the top end of which is adjusted lto the work height desired.

The ladder top ends are fastened to structure 15 by suitable interior clamps 18, 18 thereof. Thumb screws or nuts are used to fasten the ladder ends with short transverse interior bars 19, see FIG'. 10. Horizontal slots permit ready `adjustment for different ladder widths. A pair of shiftable transverse flat ribs 21, 21 are contained between each of the corresponding bolt clamps 18, 18 that are pressed against the sides of the ladder ends, as clearly seen in FIGS, l and 10. The clamping assembles 18, 18 are thereby bolted together after the ribs 21, 21 are astride both respective ladder ends, and the assemblies are in turn in position for the particular ladder end separation. The bolted assemblies 18, 18 are also thereby secured with the main structure cross-beam 20. A ange 20" extends substantially across the flat beam 20. The ladder top tips abut flange 20'l as shown in FIG. 10; when the support 15 is in position thereon.

The ladder support structure 15 is constructed with the cross-beam 20, and two side arms 22, 22 extending from its ends as a rectangular frame, in U-form. Two tubular rods 23, 23 each have one end anchored in a side arm 22, 22, and extend through apertures in the ribs 21, 21. Rods 23, 23 are coaxial, and are parallel to the cross-beam 20. A central apron or platform 25 is secured at one end from cross-beam 20, transversely, and in the upper plane of the structure 15. The adjacent ends ofl rods 23 are fastened with uprights at xed platform 25 for mutual rigidity. Platform 25 has a central opening 26 into which is tted a wire cross-frame 27. A can of paint or other material is thus readily supported in the platform 25, which is in a substantially horizontal position when in use on the ladder top.

An important feature of my present invention are the front support plate set 30, 31 and their companion extension plate set 40, v41. Support plates 30 and 31 are respectively4 tiltably mounted on the rods 23, 23 as described in detail hereinafter. They are arranged to automatically adjust their outer planar surface to press onto the at wall against which the ladder 17' is supported. Each support plate 30, 31 is arranged to be individually and automatically adjustedr to the proper flush angle to press a maximum of its substantial surface area against the building wall. The rangeof such angular adjustment v may be made considerable, as indicated by dotted lines a land I1 in FIG. l0, more than required in most practical uses.

'Iihe extension support plates 40, 41 are respectively hinged at one end to the bearingabrackets 32, 33 4by hinge sets 34, 35. When extended as in FIGS. 1 and 2 and 4 the extension support plates 40, 41 are thus placed in coplanar relation with :main support plates 30, 3d. Hinged bracket arms 42, 43 respectively couple to extension plates 40, y41 through bearing-.brackets 44, 45. Bearing-brackets 44, 45 are pivotally mounted on respective transverse rods 46, 47 ailixed to and across the plates 40, 41. More detailed description of the extension plate assemblies 40, 41 is presented hereinafter. The extension plates 40, 41 are thereby enabled to be extended as in FIGS. l and 2 iny the plane of main support platesk 30, 61 for traversing a Wide gap as a Window area; or be retracted as shown in FIG. 3. Such extension is rigidly held, and readily set-up when in use on a ladder top.

The support plates 30, 31 and 40, 41 preferably have a noughened or friction material layer on their outer faces that contact the vertical building surfaces. The use of felt, rubber, plastic, cork, etc. is optional for this purpose. In view of the relatively large contact support areas of the surfaces 30, 3K1 or 40, 41, material with even a small coe'icient of friction will sulice for most uses. 'llhe distributed pressure will not mar thev vertical surface against which the structure plates are pressed.

When in the collapsed mode per FIG. 3, only the inner basic support plates yare used, and the ladder is held stable upon the plates l30, 31 adjusting to the Wall angle, per FIGS. 1 and 10. Where a gap is to be subtended, as the window 16 of PIG. 1, the extension plates 40, 41 are unfolded, extended as illustrated. 'Ilhe brackets 42, 43 hold the plates 40, 41 firmly and stably, in line with plates 3 0, 31. The support extensions 40', 41 press against the Window frame 16 to hold the ladder 117 therebetween, in an effective w10rk position. The extension plates 40, 41 are free to pivot into the proper stable angular relation for the set-up ladder, as indicated by dotted lines c and dv in PIG. l1.

FIGS. 4, and `6 illustrate the exemplary construction of the related support plates 30, 40; being the sarne in symmetrical yarray for plates 31, 41, As described here inabove, the cross rods 23 are supported in the fixed frame assembly, namely between outer frame members 22` and the center apron 25. FIG. 4 is a separated perspective view to illustrate the method of juncture of the.

adjacent though independent plates 30! and 40. Tlie plate 30 pivots on rod 23, as to be described in connection with FIG. 5. A U-bracket y32 has its two parallel sides straddling the rod 23, with apertures for pivoting about the rod. Hinges L34, 34 atthe base of bracket 32 join the adjacent edge 40 of the extension plate `40 to the bracket 3-2.

FIG. 5 is an edge elevational View, partly broken away, of the plate sections (30, 40) of FIG. 4, in hinged relation. FIG. S clearly illustrates the support of rod 23 by an end aperture, in frame member 22. An angle fixture 48 fastened to plate 30 holds the platte 30 to rod 23 thereat The end flange 30' of plate 30 also is secured with rod 23. The U-braeket 32 has apertures about rod 23, and pivots on they rod. Its tip ends 32 do not extend to plate 30 in order not abut it, and thereby pivot on rod 23 independently of plate 30. The extension. plate 40 has a depending end portion 40 secured with hinge 34. IPlate 40 is thus independently Iangularly movable with respect to both plate 30! and the support frame 20, 22, and yet remains iirmly supported and secured toI the assembly 15.

- FIG. 6 illustrates in perspective the exemplary method of securing the opposite end 40" of extension plate 40 into the assembly :15. The longitudinal rod 46 is mounted between depending plate, end 40" and an angle piece 49 fastened centrally of the plate 40 interior. A slide member 44 is connected with rod 46 by depending sides 44', 44' apertured over rod 46. Member 44 is thus both angularly displaceable about rod 46 and slideable across i-t. The pivoted arm 42 is hinged at its section 50 to hinge 51.

FIGS. 7 and 8 are full-face enlarged views of the bracket arm assembly 43 to illustrate the exemplary construction thereof (and of its counterpart 42). FIG. 8 is a view of the bracket arm 42 fully extended as in FIG. 1. FIG. 7 is a view of vthe extended bracket arm 43 as seen from the rear of FIG. 8. Bracket arm 43 is constructed of two arms 60, 61 pivoted at central hinge 62. An auxiliary pin 63 through overlapping edges of arm 61 further secures the pivoting arm construction. Hinge 64 secures arm 60 to slide-rotate bracket 45 on rod 47 (in plate 41), see FIG. l. Hinge 65 at end of arm 61 fastens to 'the side arm 22 of the frame.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the bracket arm 42 partially extended from the assembly frame 20, 22. The slidev bracket 44 and rod 46 corresponds to that also shown in FIG. 6 on extension plate 40. Hinge 52 centrally joins arm 50 to arm 53. Arm 53 in turn is hinged to side 22 of the assembly. FIGURE 9 also applies, in symmetrical fashion to bracket arm 43 and plate 41, as will be understood by those skilled in the art.

The invention construction accordingly is seen to accomplish lthe novel, useful and significant results aforesaid. The extension plates 40, 41 are thereby independently suspended from the frame 20, 22, and are angularly positionable with respect to the frame. The angular movements of extension supponts 40', 41 and their position is independent of that of plates 30, 31. Also the plates 40, 41 are independently retracted, or extended for full, firm support. When retracted, as shown in FIG. 3, a small package for transporting or storage results. Further, thel bracket larms 42, 43 are readily extended or re. tracted, and latch out firmly, when extended, for safe support.

Although the invention has been illustrated with an exemplary embodiment, it may take other forms and constructions as will now be understood by those skilled in the art, falling Within the broader principles and scope of the invention as set forth-in the following claims.

l claim:

1. A ladder top support comprising a planar frame with single-axis pivot means extending across the frame along one edge region thereof, plate means pivotally mounted 'with saidpivot means along said edge region angularly displaceable solely on the single axis, for coacting with a vertical surface, extension plate means hinged to each side of said plate lmeans and arranged to pivot on the said single axis when extended to coact with the vertical surface to support the frame and an attached ladder across a gap in the vertical surface, an individual foldable bracket connecting said frame and each of said extension plate means for extension and retraction-thereof, and slideable pivotal rneans coupling each of said foldable brackets and its associated extension plate means whereby each extension plate .means is angularly adjustable against the vertical surface for effective support action.

2. A ladder top support comprising a U-frame withv surface to support the frame and ladder across a gap in the vertical surface, an individual foldable bracket connecting said fra-me and each of said extension plate mem` bers `for extension and retraction thereof, land slidable pivotal means coupling each of said foldable brackets and its associated extension plate member whereby each eX- tension plate member is angularly adjustable against the vertical surface for eiective support action.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,015,123 Bauer Ian. 16, 1912 6 Morgan Aug. 31, 1915 Fredriksen July 16, 1935 Randal Aug. 17, 1943 Otterson Apr. 11, 1950 Dakin June 8, 1954 Palmquist Oct. 8, 1957 Ladewski Apr. 26, 1960 

1. A LADDER TOP SUPPORT COMPRISING A PLANAR FRAME WITH SINGLE-AXIS PIVOT MEANS EXTENDING ACROSS THE FRAME ALONG ONE EDGE REGION THEREOF, PLATE MEANS PIVOTALLY MOUNTED WITH SAID PIVOT MEANS ALONG SAID EDGE REGION ANGULARLY DISPLACEABLE SOLELY ON THE SINGLE AXIS, FOR COACTING WITH A VERTICAL SURFACE, EXTENSION PLATE MEANS HINGED TO EACH SIDE OF SAID PLATE MEANS AND ARRANGED TO PIVOT ON THE SAID SINGLE AXIS WHEN EXTENDED TO COACT WITH THE VERTICAL SURFACE TO SUPPORT THE FRAME AND AN ATTACHED LADDER ACROSS A GAP IN THE VERTICAL SURFACE, AN INDIVIDUAL FOLDABLE BRACKET CONNECTING SAID FRAME AND EACH OF SAID EXTENSION PLATE MEANS FOR EXTENSION AND RETRACTION THEREOF, AND SLIDEABLE PIVOTAL MEANS COUPLING EACH OF SAID FOLDABLE BRACKETS AND ITS ASSOCIATED EXTENSION PLATE MEANS WHEREBY EACH EXTENSION PLATE MEANS IS ANGULARLY ADJUSTABLE AGAINST THE VERTICAL SURFACE FOR EFFECTIVE SUPPORT ACTION. 